The Cajun Foodie

New Orleans isn’t exactly known for its BBQ.   That said, The Joint in the Bywater neighborhood is dishing up the best the city has to offer.

The place is a little off the beaten path especially for those not familiar with the area but the end result well worth it.  The Joint started smoking in 2004 and has been serving the some of the best BBQ in the city ever since then.

From the outside of the restaurant you can smell the delectable smoke of the meats being prepared.  This alone is enough to make your stomach start turning in excitement and anticipation of what awaits inside.

The interior of the establishment is quite small with around ten tables for customers to enjoy the BBQ offerings. That said, just outside on the “patio” offers more seating.  This is also where the magic takes place in the form of smoker which is churning out the delicious BBQ that The Joint is serving up.  You order your BBQ at the counter once inside and then sit wherever you’re content while waiting in anticipation for the food to arrive.

I ordered the ribs which were of the St. Louis cut pork spare rib variety  with side of cole slaw.  The ribs were like no other in the city.  I had the half rack which probably doesn’t sound like much but when they arrived, I was impressed at the amount of ribs that was actually placed in front of me.  I would say that my order came with roughly six or seven ribs but the amount of pork on the ribs was so much so that I was barely able to finish all of them.

These ribs were huge and meaty.  The outside had a nice, but not burnt crust from the dry rub used for seasoning.  As for the dry rub……to me it was a perfect balance of savory, spice, and sweetness.  Lots of ribs that I have had has either entirely too much smoke flavor which takes away from the pork flavor and the dry rub.  The rub in fact still allowed for the flavor of the pork itself to be enjoyed and there was no one flavor that overpowered the others.

The fat content of these ribs was surprisingly far less than expected.  Compared to baby back ribs, the St. Louis cut tends to have more fat.  This was definitely not the case.  The ribs are tender to the point that you don’t have to fight to get your prize and were smoked to perfection.

The Joint is also serving up a wicked pulled pork sandwich that is stacked with a ridiculous amount of pulled pork topped with their coleslaw.  You can almost make another sandwich with the pork that falls of the sandwich.  The pork is very flavorful and tender.

As for sauces….The Joint offers customers a choice of two sauces.  A vinegar based sauce and a tomato based variety.  Both of the sauces are excellent.  I even mixed the two together and that seemed to be my favorite.  Besides for being the best BBQ New Orleans has to offer, The Joint is very wallet friendly.  For 1/2 rack of ribs and a side of choice …….under $12.  The pulled pork sandwich with a side comes in at under $7.  That is downright cheap.

Next time you are in New Orleans and need a BBQ, head to the Bywater and dine on some great BBQ at The Joint…….where they are “always smokin.”